The Verdant Dawn Grove was the abode of Wang Xi.
The forest was serene, with scattered rays of dawn light, exuding tranquility and harmony—a rare piece of sacred land.
At first glance, it appeared somewhat desolate, overgrown with vegetation that covered the mountains and plains, easily mistaken for wild grass.
In truth, ancient medicinal herbs thrived here, nestled within the forest and crevices of the rocks, accompanied by wisps of purple mist, lending an aura of sacred purity.
The Celestial Academy spanned vast territories, with countless spiritual mountains. Each disciple possessed their own sacred land, a personal sanctuary.
For someone like Wang Xi, a peerless genius who had cultivated three strands of immortal qi, her domain surpassed others, spanning ten times the usual size.
Within her territory stood ten towering peaks, each piercing the heavens. Some shimmered with jade-green light, others exuded draconic energy, while some were bathed in auspicious purple mist—each a spectacle of divine grandeur.
The Verdant Dawn Grove lay nestled between these ten sacred peaks, serene and hallowed, nourished by ten underground spiritual veins, concealing profound essence within its unassuming beauty.
Along the way, Shi Hao drew many curious glances. Given Wang Xi’s exalted status, those she chose naturally garnered attention.
Fortunately, Shi Hao had altered his appearance beforehand, avoiding recognition. Had he come in his true form, he would have been identified immediately. On the journey, he encountered a few individuals from the Three Thousand Provinces. If not for Yuan Qing, it might not have mattered, but knowing that this man had left safely from here made caution necessary.
Shi Hao decided it was best to avoid old acquaintances for now, lest complications arise.
The Verdant Dawn Grove housed several thatched cottages, simple and unadorned, blending seamlessly into nature.
Not far away stood a cave abode, carved into the cliffside, emanating an eerie glow intertwined with wisps of chaotic energy—clearly a sacred cultivation ground.
Shi Hao and the other two chosen individuals were led into the cave. As they stepped inside, they were immediately enveloped by a surge of heaven and earth essence, dense as rippling water.
This was the result of the ten sacred peaks connecting to the ancestral veins, channeling all the world’s spiritual essence into this cave.
Inside, the cave shimmered with radiant hues, misty light flowing like water from the walls and the ground. Without even cultivating, this primal essence naturally seeped into their bodies.
“You may cultivate here,” Wang Xi said, her expression serene. Though she did not smile, her demeanor remained gentle.
Apart from the man and woman who had long followed her, she had now selected another pair. The latter two were overjoyed—such a treasure land would surely double their cultivation efficiency.
They hadn’t expected Wang Xi to be so generous, allowing them to cultivate inside the cave rather than building huts outside.
Suddenly, a young Daoist arrived on auspicious clouds, informing Wang Xi that an elder from the academy sought her.
“Chen Nuo, you may guide them around the area. I must attend to the elder,” Wang Xi instructed before departing.
Chen Nuo was the man who had always stood behind Wang Xi—a striking figure, her chosen follower, whose strength had long reached the pinnacle of the Heavenly Deity realm.
To achieve such cultivation in just a few decades was astonishing even in the Nine Heavens. Had he cultivated immortal qi, his potential would have been limitless.
Yet, he still had opportunities. All major sects possessed secret methods, knowing the Heavenly Deity realm was crucial—a final chance to leap into divinity.
If seized well, one might even surpass those who had erupted with talent earlier.
Thus, Chen Nuo remained patient, never disheartened, convinced he would one day stand among the strongest.
Wang Xi had chosen him precisely for this latent potential. Chen Nuo understood this well, fueling his motivation and fiery anticipation.
After Wang Xi left, Chen Nuo led Shi Hao and the others around the ten sacred peaks. The area was vast beyond measure.
Each towering peak was shrouded in mist, radiating strands of divine light.
“Though we may cultivate in the cave, we each have our own mountain to claim,” Chen Nuo explained, gesturing to the peaks—some pitch-black, others glowing purple or crimson, each extraordinary.
He and the other woman, having joined earlier, had already claimed two peaks.
They advised that it was best to cultivate on their own peaks and avoid disturbing Wang Xi in the cave, though she permitted it.
After all, even some formal disciples only possessed one sacred peak.
Seeing the other two newcomers had already chosen their peaks, Shi Hao didn’t wish to trouble Chen Nuo further. Though not a follower, he didn’t want to appear aloof.
“Why are there so few beasts here?” Shi Hao asked, scanning the area.
“There are more over there,” Su Lan, the young woman beside Chen Nuo, pointed out. She had been chosen alongside Chen Nuo and was also nearing Heavenly Deity pinnacle.
Excluding immortal qi, Chen Nuo and Su Lan were no weaker than formal disciples.
Shi Hao soared into the air, spotting ferocious beasts and divine birds on the largest peak.
“Can we eat the wildlife here?” Shi Hao asked.
Su Lan was stunned. Chen Nuo froze.
The other two newcomers were speechless, staring at him in disbelief.
“Some are reserved as mounts…” Chen Nuo began, but Shi Hao cut him off. “Understood.”
The four exchanged uneasy glances, sensing impending trouble as they eyed Shi Hao and the mountain.
“Later, I’ll treat you to braised Silver Sky Centipedes,” Shi Hao said, spotting some silver centipedes several meters long.
They shook their heads—his tastes were too extreme.
“Then braised Golden-Winged Roc,” Shi Hao suggested, eyeing a golden bird circling above.
“No! That’s not from our territory. Don’t provoke others’ mounts,” Chen Nuo warned.
They were alarmed—this guy was too reckless, already eyeing potential meals.
“Fine, I’ll catch a flood dragon from the cold pool and a green luan from the cliffs for stew,” Shi Hao said.
Su Lan nearly stumbled. What kind of monster had they brought in?
“That green luan has phoenix blood. Lady Wang Xi sometimes rides it,” Chen Nuo said flatly.
“How dull,” Shi Hao sighed, unsure if he meant the lack of food or their humorlessness.
After selecting their peaks, they returned to the cave to await Wang Xi’s return.
“Feel free to meditate here,” Su Lan told the newcomers, though Shi Hao was already wandering freely.
Chen Nuo frowned but held his tongue—Shi Hao wasn’t a follower.
Half an hour later, they realized Shi Hao had vanished.
“Did he enter Lady Wang Xi’s private quarters?” Chen Nuo paled, rushing forward.
At the cave’s depths, a radiant stone door stood ajar, suffused with divine light.
Shi Hao hadn’t broken the seal—he’d used his immortal qi to open it.
“You—how dare you climb onto Lady Wang Xi’s bed?!” Chen Nuo roared, livid.
Su Lan was speechless.
“This is just a meditation stone,” Shi Hao said, refreshed from his trance.
The stone, translucent and glowing, facilitated deep enlightenment.
“This is Lady Wang Xi’s bed, brought from the Wang Clan! No one has ever touched it!” Su Lan exclaimed.
“Oh, I thought it was a cultivation platform,” Shi Hao said, stepping down.
“You’ve crossed a line!” Chen Nuo seethed.
“It’s a misunderstanding,” Shi Hao shrugged.
Outside, a voice cried, “Someone climbed onto Wang Xi’s bed?!”
“Don’t spread rumors!” Shi Hao snapped.
Chen Nuo and Su Lan rushed out.
A woman’s voice echoed, “Heavens! Someone climbed Wang Xi’s bed!”
“Who is she?” Shi Hao asked.
“Princess Yue’s close friend—a powerful formal disciple,” Su Lan said.
Princess Yue and Wang Xi were rivals. This was deliberate sabotage.
“Who? Who climbed Wang Xi’s bed?!” distant voices clamored.
At the cave entrance, they knew trouble had arrived. What would Wang Xi say when she returned?
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